Kieran Venugopal will major in music education beginning Fall 2025. Valedictorian of his class and highly recruited, he is able to attend MSU – his first school of choice – due to generous scholarship support.
Incoming music student Kieran Venugopal is a recipient of the prestigious Joseph R. and Sarah L. Williams Scholarship which covers full tuition, fees, housing, meals for up to eight semesters and includes an experiential education stipend.
Venugopal, a violinist with a passion for teaching and the valedictorian of Ferndale High School’s Class of 2025, will attend Michigan State University this fall as a music education major in the College of Music. He will also be a member of the Honors College.
“We are so pleased that Kieran will be joining the music education program,” said Karen Salvador, associate professor of music education. “Top students like Kieran contribute tremendously to our scholarly community, and that’s one reason why increasing scholarship support is a high priority at the College of Music.”
Venugopal’s musical journey began in third grade with violin lessons, but it wasn’t until he participated in orchestra in fifth grade that his passion truly took root. Since sixth grade, he has studied privately and developed a deep commitment to music education. His high school experience included not only orchestra but also marching band, where he served as drum major for two seasons.
“Kieran combines academic excellence with a passion for music education and a clear vision for his career path,” said Yvonne Lam, assistant professor of violin and coordinator of chamber music. “I look forward to working with him and helping him achieve his goals.”
Kieran Venugopal, seen here in his all-city orchestra in sixth grade, began his musical journey with violin lessons in third grade.
Recruited by several universities, Venugopal said it is the College of Music’s welcoming and flexible environment that shaped his decision to attend MSU.
“I had several options for what I would pursue in college, and as I narrowed things down and began to explore music education programs, the MSU College of Music community really stood out to me,” he said. “I knew I would have the opportunity to learn everything I wanted, even if it included things that aren’t usually part of a string music ed major’s path, or even a music major’s path.”
The Williams Scholarship, awarded to a select group of high-achieving students, played a pivotal role in making that choice possible. Named in honor of the university’s first president, the 2025-26 academic year is the inaugural year for the program first announced in late 2024.
“Receiving a Williams Scholarship gave me the freedom to choose a school entirely based on what I wanted for myself and my future and not worry about the financial consequences it would have entailed,” Venugopal said.
Looking ahead, Venugopal’s focus is on giving back to the music education community that inspired him.
“I want to be a school orchestra conductor and hopefully inspire my students the same way my directors did,” he said. “I also plan to remain a part of the marching band world and work with high school bands outside of the school day and during my summers both during and after college.”
Incoming music education student Kieran Venugopal has always had the desire to teach music, and he gained experience during his high school years.
Jean Lee, Instructor and Coordinator of String Music Education, emphasized the critical role scholarships play in the competitive world of music student recruitment. value Venugopal brings to the program.
“We are excited to welcome Kieran and his well-rounded musical background to our string music education program,” said Lee. “Students like Kieran demonstrate strong initiative and have a lot of options, so our ability to let them follow through with their desire to study music at MSU is often determined by the financial support we can offer. It is why increasing Music scholarships is a primary focus of the new comprehensive fundraising campaign.”
For Kieran, the scholarship also opens doors to experiences that will shape his future as an educator.
“The scholarship and the experiential stipend will allow me to take advantage of every opportunity to prepare myself to be a better musician and teacher,” he said. “It gives me the possibility of experiences I never could have considered were I still responsible for paying for my college education.”
As he prepares to begin his studies, Venugopal is eager to immerse himself in the MSU community.
“I’m really excited to meet new and like-minded people and spend all my time learning about my passions and building a greater understanding of them,” he said. “I’m both nervous and excited for the freedom that comes with being a college student, but I can’t wait to spend it learning and having fun.”
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